Daly City in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Broderick Terry Duel
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Broderick Terry Duel Marker
The famous duel that ended dueling in California was fought in a ravine east of here, near the shore of Lake Merced, in the early morning of September 13, 1859. The participants were U.S. Senator David C. Broderick and Chief Justice David S. Terry of the California Supreme Court. Senator Broderick was mortally wounded. The site is marked with a monument and granite shafts where the two men stood.
State Registered Landmark No. 19.
Dedicated October 16, 1949.
Erected 1949 by California Centennial Commission, County Board of Supervisors, and San Mateo County Historical Association. (Marker Number 19.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 13, 1859.
Location. 37° 42.49′ N, 122° 29.05′ W. Marker is in Daly City, California, in San Mateo County. It can be reached from Lake Merced Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 Lake Merced Blvd, Daly City CA 94015, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Broderick-Terry Duel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ground Beneath Your Feet (approx. one mile away); In Honor of Dr. Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci (approx. 1.1 miles away); Granville House (approx. 1.1 miles away); If it's Summer, Bring a Sweater (approx. 1.2 miles away); Where Daly City Started (approx. 1.2 miles away); Monarch's Tale (approx. 1.9 miles away); Swamp Gum (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Daly City.
Another marker is no longer nearby. United States Senator David C. Broderick and Judge David S. Terry (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 22, 2009
2. Broderick – Terry Duel Marker
More about this marker. Marker is located at the entrance to the trail to the duel site. The duel site is a short walk from the marker.
Regarding Broderick Terry Duel. This site was designated California Historical Landmark No. 19 on June 1, 1932.
Also see . . .
1. The Broderick Terry Duel. Dueling was still considered a proper way to settle feuds in San Francisco in the 1850s. In 1936, San Francisco Municipal Court Judge Charles R. Boden spoke before a meeting of the California Historical Society about the Broderick-Terry duel, and his comments were published in societys quarterly for December of that year. (Submitted on April 26, 2009.)
2. The Broderick - Terry Dual. (Submitted on March 29, 2010.)
Additional commentary.
1. From the Guide to Old Sacramento by Robert Miller, Published by River City Press, 1976:
In Old Sacramento on “L” Street there was the Magnolia Saloon. The saloon served as headquarters for Senators David Broderick and William Gwin. They were both Democrats and started out as allies but ended up as mortal enemies. As the Civil War approached their differences
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 22, 2009
3. Directional Obelisk Located on Trail to Site
Western side of obelisk:
Duel Site, Broderick & Terry, Sept. 13, 1859
Duel Site, Broderick & Terry, Sept. 13, 1859
— Submitted May 3, 2009.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 22, 2009
4. Directional Obelisk
Southern side of obelisk:
Duel Site [Arrow pointing east]
Duel Site [Arrow pointing east]
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 22, 2009
5. Chief Justice David S. Terry Stood at this Spot
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 22, 2009
6. U.S. Senator David C. Broderick Stood at this Spot
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 22, 2009
7. Broderick – Terry Duel Site
8. David Broderick
From the article The Last of the California Rangers (1928) by Jill L. Cossley-Batt
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
9. David Terry
From the article The Last of the California Rangers (1928) by Jill L. Cossley-Batt
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Daly City History Guild Museum & Archive
10. Original NSGW Marker
Placed in 1917 by the Native Sons of the Golden West, at the same time as the granite shafts. Now missing.
Photographed by Craig Baker
11. New NSGW Marker
New marker installed in 2023. See nearby marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 6,241 times since then and 128 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2023, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1. submitted on May 2, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 26, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8, 9. submitted on June 20, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 10. submitted on May 24, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. 11. submitted on May 2, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
